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TALLAHASSEE — For the second time in four years, Central Florida is once again taking hold of the gavel in the state Legislature. Although they took different paths to get there, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, will formally take the helm Tuesday in an organizational session expected to feature little more than ceremonial votes and speeches. Gardiner campaigned for senators and raised money for years to secure and hold on to the leadership post. Crisafulli was tapped when Lake Mary Rep. Chris Dorworth, in line for the post, lost his re-election bid in 2012. Both are social conservatives, arrive after another GOP...

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TALLAHASSEE — For the second time in four years, Central Florida is once again taking hold of the gavel in the state Legislature.
Although they took different paths to get there, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, and Senate President Andy...

Last week, as my family gathered around a perfectly cooked turkey with crispy, garlic-rubbed skin and moist white meat, I gave thanks.
For my family. For our health.
And for Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
Why that last one? Because that chapter —...

TALLAHASSEE – A key aide testified Tuesday that bad blood in the Legislature led by two Central Florida lawmakers was the cause of some interesting email and back-channel use of lobbyists – not an underhanded attempt to undermine the 2010 Fair Districts...

TALLAHASSEE – Former House Speaker Dean Cannon says he sanctioned a secret meeting between legislative employees and Republican operatives because he wanted the 2012 re-drawing of political boundaries to be above reproach.
Cannon, a Winter Park...

TALLAHASSEE -- In the wide-ranging legal fight over Florida's 2012 redistricting maps, a Republican opposition research firm has asked a judge to keep its records blocked from public review.
Gainesville-based Data Targeting Inc., along with operatives...

TALLAHASSEE -- A Leon County judge has held three prominent Republican consultants in contempt for not handing over thousands of pages of private records detailing their work in last year's contentious redistricting fight.
Leon County Judge Terry...

TALLAHASSEE – A week after delaying a vote, a House committee advanced an ethics reform on Tuesday that would make it harder for ex-lawmakers to score high-paying jobs thanks to their political contacts. The House State Affairs Committee OK'd the bill Tuesday

A lot to talk about in today's edition of Friday files, starting with the latest group of people getting hosed by Tallahassee — the mentally ill.
To be fair, it was probably their turn.
Florida politicians have already gone after the disabled,...

I am amused by Rick Scott's claims of victory in this legislative session.
This was House Speaker Dean Cannon's party.
Scott entered the Governor's Office as a wildly firing cannon.
It was Cannon who aimed the cannon at the targets he wanted to hit,...

Today's Friday Files are psychedelic. •Newsweek recently cited a study that said, of all the state capitals in America, Tallahassee ranks No. 1 when it comes to pot-smoking. That explains a lot about what happened in this past legislative session. ...

They control some of the largest workforces, biggest budgets and loudest bully pulpits in town.And they can impact everything from your morning commute to your family's health care and entertainment options.They are Central Florida's power players. And...

Time for another round of hugs and slugs — this time in the spirit of Halloween, spotlighting some of the worst tricks and best treats of the past week.We start with a super-sized hug for the folks at Shepherd's Hope — one of Central Florida's most...

TALLAHASSEE — Like his House counterpart, Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Tuesday that higher ed reforms are on the Legislature's agenda for the next couple of years, especially as the state tries to cut dollars from universities in tight budget t

TALLAHASSEE — A panel of Florida lawmakers got its first chance to start picking away at a controversial gambling bill that would bring three destination casino resorts to Florida, and the overriding message for sponsor Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Laude

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, has announced his state finance steering committee for his bid for the U.S. Senate, including Florida Sen. President Mike Haridopolos and Florida Sen. John Thrasher. Also key on the team are big fundraisers Ambassador Fr

TALLAHASSEE — Attorney General Pam Bondi is lending her voice to the gambling debate. Her office just released an advisory saying the attorney general would participate in an anti gambling press conference at noon today. The legislation to bring destina

TALLAHASSEE — A House committee advanced three options for new congressional maps Monday that would create a new Hispanic-leaning seat in Central Florida and make the statewide playing field slightly more Democratic. The maps (named House congressional m

Florida may be in position to define the GOP presidential candidate with its Jan. 31 primary but it looks like it'll cost Florida Republicans a little pizazz next summer: less-than best hotels and floor seats for the home crowd at the GOP National convention.

TALLAHASSEE — A majority of the Florida Senate is pushing to delay passing a budget until later in the spring when economic conditions might ameliorate the need for deeper cuts to health-care or other services. Senate President-designate Don Gaetz, R-Nic